Professor Raj Ramesar
Professor Raj Ramesar PhD Fellow of UCT
Director: SAMRC Precision and Genomic Medicine Research Unit [PGM] & CANSA’s Colorectal Cancer Research Consortium; Full Member, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine; Professor and Head, Department of Pathology, and Division of Human Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, UCT.
A major aspect of the MRC Research Unit's agenda is the identification of genes underlying disease in South African populations. With the recognition that there is limited national capacity for high-throughput genotyping and sequencing technology, the Genomic Platform, for high-throughput genetic analysis has increased the workload within the Unit while offering spare capacity to other researchers in the Faculty of Health Sciences at UCT and the Western Cape. The improved infrastructure within the unit has been essential to realise our mission of increased capacity development.
Retinal Project
Since its inception in 1990, the Retinal Degenerative Disorders (RDD) screening programme at the Division of Human Genetics has made several advances in retinal research. In collaboration with Retina South Africa (Retina SA), the RDD registry/database has grown to contain 1250 families with DNA archived from 2990 individuals. Currently, the registry has clinical and genetic change (mutation) data on a wide range of patients who are affected with a range of RDDs including Stargardt disease, dominant, recessive and X-linked forms of Retinitis Pigmentosa, macular degeneration, Usher syndrome, and Leber Congenital Amaurosis, amongst others. To date, RDD research at UCT, which is largely supported by Retina SA and other funders such as the Medical Research Council, has led to several advances in the identification of genetic causes of RDDs. More recently, the UCT research team, together with Retina SA, has been involved in the Estonia screening project, in which patient samples are sent for testing on the Asper Microarray Chips. These chips contain all known mutations and variations in a wide range of RDDs for which patient DNA samples are tested. Currently, 15% of families in the database have been fully characterised in terms of disease-causing mutations. The fact that genetic changes underlying RDD in South Africa are unique compared to other international study sites presents a challenge in our attempts to characterise families in the registry. The UCT RDD research team is constantly researching newly identified mutations as well as new screening methods that may enable detection of underlying mutations in inherited RDDs.
Colorectal Cancers
The Colorectal Cancer Research Consortium (CCRC), based in the Division of Human Genetics, was first established in 1999. This research focuses on assessment of the genetic basis of colorectal cancer (CRC), investigation of the sequence of molecular genetic changes that lead from neoplasm to malignancy in CRC as well as histopathology of CRC. Our investigations have contributed towards the hypothesis that a significant proportion of colorectal cancers along the West Coast of South Africa, in individuals under the age of 45 years of age, is due to a number of identifiable germline genetic defects. Genetic changes, causative of disease, have been detected in more than 30 families. This led to an internationally recognized program which delivers a genetic and clinical surveillance program to communities in the rural North West of South Africa, with an effective reduction in both mortality and morbidity over more than 20 years. The program attracted an international clinical trial of simple aspirin, which has shown a significant level of effectiveness (Burn et. al, The Lancet (2011): 378(9809): 2081-2087).
Neuropsychiatric Genetics including Bipolar Disorder
The Bipolar research project, based in the Division of Human Genetics was first approved in 1996. The focus was on the molecular basis of Bipolar Disorder. A significant number of publications attest to the multidimensional analyses including neuropsychological profiling, imaging, and functional genomics. From the genetics angle, our current work in this regard involves whole exome sequencing and whole genome sequencing. An important public health angle currently being pursued with the Dept of Public Health has to do with an investigation of suicidal behaviour and completed suicides – which is part of the landscape of bipolar disorder. A PhD student, Dr Tahira Kootbodien (who is a public health specialist) is currently investigating environmental and genetic risk factors for attempted and completed suicides. A large NIMH supported project – the Genomics of Schizophrenia in the Xhosa population – has completed the recruitment of close on to 3000 subjects including cases and controls – with a substantial proportion of these subjects being subjected to whole exome sequencing and destined for Genome Wide Association Studies. This work forms the basis of Lerato Majara’s PhD to be completed in 2019.
Public interface
Genetic research in the Unit is preceded by a history of good genetic practice of some 35 years in a well-established and functioning clinical, cyto- and molecular genetics environment. Included in this programme of research is the unremitting clinical interest in the subject, family, and community; tied to this is the commitment to providing follow up information to subjects on the ongoing research and potential benefits emanating from research. The Unit (and the Division of Human Genetics) has a historical and professional relationship with the South African Inherited Diseases Association (SAIDA) and several of its individual affiliates. Information for dissemination to support groups is developed with such organisations in order to be optimally informative and effective. Part of the employment condition of all students and staff is familiarisation with protocols to engage effectively with support groups, the public, and range of media. Membership of steering committees and the national management committee of lay support organisations (such as Retina South Africa) have proven valuable in aligning our research with the needs of sufferers.
Contact details:
Level 3, Wernher & Beit North
Division of Human Genetics
Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine
Faculty of Health Sciences
University of Cape Town
Observatory 7925
South Africa
Tel: +27 21 406 6297
Fax: +27 21 650 2010
Email: raj.ramesar@uct.ac.za
Alternate sites: www.humangenetics.uct.ac.za/hg/division/staff/principal/ramesar
www.health.uct.ac.za/fhs/departments/pathology
Group members:
| Member | Position |
|---|---|
| Dr Gloudi Agenbag | Laboratory Manager - Senior Scientific Officer |
| Mrs Alina Esterhuizen | NHLS Medical Scientist/ PhD Student |
| Dr Shareefa Dalvie | Lecturer, Department of Psychiatry |
| Dr Lisa Roberts | Senior Scientific Officer |
| Ms Lerato Majara | Technical Officer/ PhD Student |
| Mrs Heidi Paulse | Senior Secretary |
| Sr Gameda Benefeld | Research Nurse |
| Mr Zhaheed Smith | Departmental Assistant |
| MsTasneem Salie | PhD Student |
| Ms Lindiwe Lamola | PhD Student |
| Ms Anna Vorster | PhD Student |
| Ms Horacia Naidoo | PhD Student |
| Ms Stacey Moses | PhD Student |
| DrTahira Kootbodien | PhD Student |
| Dr Jashira Naidoo | PhD Student |
| Dr Tracey Adams | PhD Student |
| Dr Ramadhani Chambuso | PhD Student |
| Ms Maryanne Mufford | PhD Student |
| Ms Megan Campbell | MSc Student |
Collaborations:
International:
| Bodmer, Prof Sir Walter | Oxford University, UK |
| Burn, Prof Sir John | University of Newcastle, UK |
| Claire-King, Prof Marie | University of Washington, USA |
| Knowles, Prof Jim | University of Southern California, USA |
Project-based (Local Collaborators):
| Beighton, Prof Peter | Genetics of Skeletal Connective Tissue Disorders |
| Denny, Prof Lynn | Genetics of Cervical Cancer Genetics of Ovarian Cancer |
| Goldberg, A/Prof Paul | Genetics of Colorectal Cancers Colorectal Adenoma/Carcinoma Prevention Study |
| Govender, Prof Dhiren | Genetics of Colorectal Cancers |
| Martin, Prof Lorna | Genetics of Suicide |
| Naidoo, Prof Kevin | Genomics of Breast Cancer |
| Ramma, Prof Lebogang | Genetics of Cisplatin ototoxicity |
| Robertson, Dr Barbara | Colorectal Cancer |
| Rayner, Prof Brian | Genetics of Renal Disease |
| Singh, Dr Elvira | National Cancer Registry, Genetics of Cancer |
| Stein, Prof Dan | Genetics of Schizophrenia in the Xhosa population Neural correlates of Methamphetamine users |
| Van der Spuy, Prof Z | Genetics of Polycystic Ovaries Genetics of Fibroid Development |
| Wilmshurst, Prof Jo | Genetics of Childhood Epilepsy-RCH |
| Zar, Prof Heather | Drakenstein Child Lung Health Study |
| Ziskind, Prof Ari | Retinal Degenerative Disorders |